I find it interesting that Lex doesn’t tell her anything about the trade, and I guess it could be a secret for now? Or maybe he doesn’t want to tell her over the phone since she’s on her way here already?
There are so many things about trades and hockey in general that I still don’t understand, but hopefully with Lex now living in the same city as me, that list will get smaller and smaller.
Rukoand I stay in the private room after Lex is rolled out to be taken to surgery. Patrick has been coming in and out, his phone vibrating with calls every time he tries to sit and settle, so we don’t even have time to ask him what exactly is going on.
All we know for sure is that the Demons are aware of the injury and want to continue with the trade.
I’m about to ask Ruko why it hasn’t been announced to the public yet when he pins me with a deeply amused stare.
“So, you two are official now?”
I thought that was obvious after Christmas, but I don’t think that’s the right thing to say right now. Instead, I flounder a bit, opening and closing my mouth before I settle for a simple nod.
His face softens. Clearly he can tell how nervous I am.
“I’ve known Lex loves you since the first time we visited you in New York.”
“You have?” I can’t stop the question, or tamp down the wonder.
“Of course.” He shrugs, as if he didn’t just change the way I view our history. “After we met you for the first time I sat the boys down for a chat, wanted to make sure they knew they would always have me even while they were gaining more family.”
That’s absolutely something Ruko would do, something he’d be worried about. My heart melts a little at the image of a decade-younger Ruko nervously pacing in his home, determined to make sure his sons knew they were loved.
“When he spoke about you, I knew for sure you’d caught his eye. I could hear how confused he was too.” He chuckles lightly and turns to look unseeingly at the wall. After a moment, he offers me a reassuring smile. “Believe me, this isn’t a surprise for anyone who knows the two of you.”
I blow out a breath, grateful that at least talking about this is taking my mind off the fact that Lex is under general anesthesia.
“I think we’ve both been aware of this for a while, but the fans... their reaction is what really worries Lex.” And me.
“Ah.” Ruko waves that away carelessly. “The fans will love him for what he does on the ice, and you’ve already done a lot to help change the way people think about you two.”
I look away, cursing the blush that spreads fast across my face.
He graciously ignores it.
“Vinny talks to me a lot more than Lex these days. Especially since Lex stopped coming to me after he was drafted. I hate that I didn’t see any of this sooner.” He beats himself up, and though I can’t exactly blame him...
“Lex is good at putting on the image of what people want to see,” I tell him quietly. “And you’re not the only one who didn’t see it.”
“I appreciate you saying so, but I’m his papa. It’s my job to protect him no matter how old he gets, and I failed.”
What can I say to that?
Nothing.
There’s no universe in which I think Ruko has failed as a father, but how can I convince him of that? Especially right now.
Instead, I watch as Ruko sighs heavily before calling Vinny. He puts the call on speakerphone.
“Hey, Dad, what’s going on?” he asks.
“He’s in surgery, but they should be bringing him back anytime now.”
“Okay, that’s good. Mom told me she’s on her way.”
There’s a marked pause, and then Ruko exhales heavily again before nodding to himself. As if he just came to a firm decision.
“The Demons traded for him.”
